National

Storm savagery strikes across NSW

As winds wreaked havoc across the NSW south coast, floodwaters in the north isolated around 20,000 people.

A "MINI-CYCLONE" with destructive gale-force winds ripped through Kiama and parts of Sydney yesterday leaving a trail of devastation and causing an asbestos scare.

Hazardous materials crews converged on Malabar after part of the RSL's roof was ripped off during the storm. Asbestos sheets were strewn over nearby properties and the area has been closed as the cleanup continues.

The state's wild and deadly weather caused widespread damage in Sydney and up to to 20,000 people remain isolated by rising floods with residents on the mid-north coast facing an anxious wait as swollen rivers peak today.

As waterlogged towns begin the clean-up, others in the state's south are still reeling from cyclonic winds which battered their homes, with the SES involved in 75 rescues.

Winds of up to 130km/h tore through parts of the eastern suburbs and the southwest, causing extensive damage to property and leaving 3500 homes without power.

SES, RFS and Fire and Rescue crews responded to more than 4000 calls, while residents described the damage as being like a "war zone".

"We had reports of a trampoline being blown into power lines, as well as damage to a primary school and RSL club," SES spokeswoman Jennifer Finlay said.

Jockey Neil Paine said his glass screen blew in when the storm hit his Malabar home about 12.30am.

"It was frightening stuff - we all ran to the bathroom and stayed in there until it was all over. It sounded like a bomb went off," he said.

At Narellan Vale Christine McDonald described the main street as "a war zone" after her brick wall was reduced to rubble. "It's like something out of America or in the movies, not here. You get a bit caught up with emotion - not because of the damage but because of how lucky we were," Ms McDonald said.

A family of seven had to be flown from a campsite near Ulladulla about 8am, while five others were winched to safety from their roof in North Richmond.

Kempsey resident Marie Farley said the clean-up for the home and dairy she has lived in for the past 60 years will take weeks.

"We've seen lots of floods here, but this is one of the major ones," she said.

"It had been raining for a whole week before it just came down over the weekend and will take at least four days for the water to subside and then it will be a big clean-up."

Mrs Farley was helped by sons Paul and Tom and grandson Alex to get to their dairy next to the home after the waters were too strong for the 82-year-old to cross by herself.

"I was here by myself on Friday night and it was a bit scary as the power kept flicking off and the winds were just howling," she said.

An Insurance Council of Australia spokesman said it was too soon to put a figure on the potential claims made by those affected by the storm.

"Anyone that has been affected by this weekend's wild weather should contact their insurer so claims can be assessed as soon as possible," the spokesman said

The Bureau of Meteorology expects conditions to ease over the coming days

Homes in Kiama's Minnamurra St were subjected to the worst of the weather. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph

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